Henry Fletcher Claytor, Jr.

Henry Fletcher “JuJu” Claytor Jr., age 72, passed away peacefully at home on September 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. Born on August 18, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa, Henry grew up in the Woodland area, a predominantly Black neighborhood referred to as Ponderosa. Henry attended Des Moines Technical High School, commonly known as Tech High, where he developed a lifelong passion for community and advocating for justice.

As a teenager, Henry was a member of the Black Panther Party (BPP) of Des Moines. As a Black Panther, Henry often participated in the Free Breakfast for School Children Program, a community service program run by the BPP that focused on providing free breakfast for children before school. Through the BPP, Henry developed a dedication to social justice, equity, and freedom for all people, motifs that would traverse the duration of his life.

This thematic commitment continued as he fought for our country’s freedoms in the Vietnam War. At the formative age of 18, Henry was drafted into the United States Army for the Vietnam War. Thereafter, Henry was selected to become part of the United States Air Force through enlisting and qualifying exams. As an airman (1971-1974), Henry fought in the war and he held several roles, including air rescue during combat. After serving in the United States Air Force, Henry was granted an honorable discharge on July 4, 1974.

Following his return to the United States, Henry later worked as a Plant Operations Engineer at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa, where he met the love of his life and doting wife, Carmelita Claytor. The two built a loving, faithful, and joyful life together, filled with incalculable adventures, travels, and memories throughout their nearly 40-year relationship. Together, they had three beautiful daughters, Quinnetta, Caprice, and Kaché, who were Henry’s pride and joy.

By employing his wisdom from husbandhood and fatherhood, Henry was a role model within his community, which was often materialized through sports as a coach. As the coach for various organized youth sports, Henry positively impacted and encouraged a myriad of young people. Henry’s coaching expertise spanned from football, track & field, basketball, tee ball/baseball, and even cheerleading. As an exemplar in the community, many people still referred to him as Coach Claytor years after they graduated from the team. His coaching was not limited to sports, as he used a similar pedagogy in the church as a deacon and minister. Henry always encouraged others to do their best and let God handle the rest. As an ordained minister at Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church, Henry often prayed for others and encouraged people in the Word to do to others as you would like them to do to you (Luke 6:31). Ringing back to his devotion to the fair treatment of others, understanding that we are all equal under God, irrespective of race and gender. Henry’s first sermon underscored the importance of women in the Bible. As a zealous husband and girl dad, Henry understood the prominence of women and was a firm believer in and an advocate of equal rights for all, including women. During the latter part of his life, he was a member of King of Kings Missionary Baptist Church, where he continued to blossom as a minister and servant of the Lord.

Henry was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, coach, and friend. He loved fishing, playing dominoes, grilling on his deck, and watching TV. He was known for his generous and humorous spirit and his unwavering devotion to his family. He was the happiest when surrounded by his family and friends.

Henry is survived by his loving wife Carmelita Claytor, his children Quinnetta, Caprice, and Kaché Claytor, as well as his siblings - Valerie Willis (Ted), Rahim Hasan (Maria), Dorothy Claytor, and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by Pearly “Gan” Bullock (Grandmother), Odell Bullock (Grandfather), Dorothy Claytor (Grandmother), Henry Claytor Sr. (Father), Alberta Claytor (Mother), Dellarae White (Sister), and Albert Claytor Sr. (Brother).

Henry will be deeply missed, yet his legacy of love, humor, strength, knowledge, kindness, resilience, and wisdom will live on in the hearts of all who were granted the delight of knowing him.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., with family present from 4 to 6 p.m., on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1552 Maple St., Des Moines.

Print